Saturday, April 19, 2014

Varied Birthday Celebration of Neerja Bakshi on 19.04.2014

The ecstasy of celebrating
own Birthday varies from person to person.
Enjoying the day with friends and family members in exquisite locations,
eating sumptuously in others company, laughing, taking gifts, giving thanks
back and finally remembering those merry
making moments till next birthday especially by browsing through the pictures
in social media are part of our so called Birthday celebrations. However, some think differently, rather
entirely differently. We, the volunteers
of DNipCare witnessed such a varied Birthday celebration of one among us, who
was none other than our dear Neerja Bakshi.
Though visiting temple was there in her mind in the Birthday celebration
itinerary, her first priority was to visit all those suffering Cancer Patients living
in the halls and rooms of Sir Sobha Singh Dharamshala of Delhi State Cancer
Institute, Dilshad Garden, Delhi. The
bagful of sweet chocolates brought her
along with not only elated the moods of otherwise gloomy patients, but also
became the icing on the cake for the patients visits when a birthday was also
being celebrated silently without the fanfare of cake, candles and gifts, but
with the sole commitment of empathy and fellow feeling. Neerja could set a trend by spending her time
on the precious day which comes once in a year only in her life by committing
it to the ailing patients, that too the Cancer patients who desperately long
for little relief from pain, psychosocial issues and some even from abject
poverty when the disease looks like adding insult to injury. After spending time from 11.30 to 5.30 the spontaneous
reply to our question on her intention to visit the temple was that the
hospital itself is more than a Mandir where God gives cure and relief to the suffering
patients. Dr. RK Grover Sir, CEO & Director
of the Institute also appreciated the gesture of this volunteer and gave his
blessings along with chocolates to her and our other volunteers.

Mr. Sunil & his
Neelagiri Restaurant of GTB Enclave in Dilshad Garden also deserve a mention as
they do have an active role in our Palliative Care volunteerism as their soft
white rice appams with tasty vegetable kurmas takes care of our lunch
requirements as a staple food and home away from home. Once again we wish a Very Happy Birthday to
Neerja Bakshi.

DELHITES' NATIONAL INITIATIVE IN PALLIATIVE CARE (DNipCare)

The mission under DNipCare aims at development of sustainable cost effective system of Palliative Care with active community participation for patients suffering from long term, bed-ridden, incurable, life limiting illnesses. Our strategy is to encourage local people to address the social needs of patients and their families, train the community volunteers to offer emotional support, facilitate the development of locally sustainable home care programs and to establish a network of committed volunteers, nurses and doctors with expertise in palliative care to support such initiatives.
With the active support of our esteemed volunteers and well wishers, presently we are able to provide even monthly food ration support to the identified poorest of the poor patients in addition to the psycho-social and medical home care. Rehabilitation of the patients and their hapless families, wherever required, sensitization of the masses through locally available socio-cultural organizations on the efficacy of Palliative Care are our main plank.